What you can’t do is order the Analog Rytm – not yet. There’s a waiting list so you can be notified when it goes on sale (not really a waiting list for the preorder, so much as a “now you can buy it” list):

We expect to be on top of a review before the beginning of summer. In the meantime, let’s have a listen.

I’ve seen a number of complaints about gear fetishization lately, and I do tend to agree that this isn’t really the point. So, um… yeah, don’t do that. Breathe deeply. It’s just some SoundCloud samples. No need to get all excited. There, did that work? (On the other hand, this is better than the completely silent AKAI demo unit some weeks ago… I look forward to later in 2014 when everything is in hand for reviews and making proper noise. That’s not a fetish thing, more the whole point of electronic musical instruments.)

I was excited about this until I found out it doesn’t do MIDI note output (and according to Elektron never will). It’s a $1600 drum machine that can’t sequence any other instruments. I didn’t realize that the Swedish word for “marketing” could also mean “contempt”.

Nagasaki Nightrider

Hadn’t heard that yet, but not surprising. The obstinate refusal to include such a mundane but essential capability is baffling given that A). Other products they make can do this. B) We have to use MIDI to backup files and load samples in other products they make. Maybe this one too. I haven’t read enough to know.

http://pkirn.com/ Peter Kirn

Well, you’ve hit the main point – if anyone faults them on sequencing, it’s because they’re used to it on other Elektron offerings. So I share some of the confusion here.

I’m not as critical on the other MIDI stuff, though. If it sounds good, it seems it could still be a hit, and the other computer integration ideas are nice enough.

Anyway – let’s wait on doing the review. But I will certainly take into consideration that a lot of people did want that sequencing.

Poogle

Yes, it seems silly to think you could buy an A4 and RYTM for $2849 and not be able to midi sequence anything. Those 2 could be the perfect center of many studios if not for the lack of midi sequencing. Seems like a missed opportunity, especially when considering the pads on RYTM.

Miguel Marcos

I lust after the A4 because I love the sounds and I think I could easily wrap my head around how it works with sequencing and fx and stuff but it’s been easy for me not to part with the cash because of the lack of MIDI. I want it to play nicely with the rest of the stuff I have, not to be a loner. A Prophet 08 module is a smart alternative, though a different sounding animal.

genjutsushi

I think they are going for a different aspect of creation here – if you really want a comprehensive sequencer then turn to the Octatrack which has 8 midi sequencer channels built in.

Nagasaki Nightrider

That’s the spin they put on it, yes, but I think the argument against that is, why not give everyone who invests in an Elektron sequencer at least some ability to use it to drive other devices rather than crippling it to drive sales of other products? Meanwhile, I don’t want an Octatrack. I want an analog synth with a sequencer that isn’t trapped inside its own box. They obviously see the value in that approach up to a point, but the uneven implementation of it is confusing in no small part because they choose not to elaborate on the reason why. Not that they are under any obligation to.

http://vrpr.org/ Henry

“Anyway – let’s wait on doing the review.”

Wouldn’t summer vacation period not be the perfect time to dive into it and bless us with a detailed review of this machine?

griotspeak

It probably allows freedom with automation and such not having to worry about MIDI compatibility.

http://pkirn.com/ Peter Kirn

Mmmm…. I might have to play devil’s advocate on each of these perspectives.

On the other hand, would you really buy this as a MIDI sequencer, with various other options? You’re mainly buying it for the internal sound sources. (Hell, $100 right now buys you a BeatStep from Arturia for sequencing alone…)

You can clock this with other devices, so I don’t necessarily see the sequencing functionality as a deal-breaker. Now, could they have done it? Sure, don’t see why not.

griotspeak

Supporting resolutions higher than 7 bit is possible but really doesn’t yield that great of an experience. Worse, you don’t even gain much interoperability for all of that work. This is all my opinion, of course, and is just a guess as to why they might take the position that they have.

Poogle

Personally I think this is Elektron’s weakest machine. It’s still better than most and I’d probably choose it over Tempest but I’d still consider the Machinedrum UW to be far more interesting aside from Overbridge and independent lengths on the RYTM. I think creative use of rec and play machines and synthesis options alone make Machinedrum UW far more interesting.

Joel Dittrich

Yes, I´m keeping my MDUW for use alongside AR and A4. Bcz it´s a different beast!

Foosnark

A lot of these examples sound like something I could do with MicroTonic and Drumatic 4 without much effort. Some of them are a bit more impressive, though.

Without a doubt, if I were buying an Elektron product it would be a Monomachine.

job

The best drumcomputer ive heard till now (and ive heard them all). Finally a drum machine that has a beefy analog but also a very versatile sound. (most digital drummachines have a versatile sound but their basic sound is either sterile or lack low freq. power; and most analog drummachines sound very good but always the same…)
Too bad you can’t use it as a sequencer for other gear… Thats really a shame.

job

Why should there be the sequence function for other gear? Well in the way I compose songs, the drumparts and melodic parts are closely knit together. Which means they belong together. I don’t like my sequences fragmented over different machines cause then its more difficult to recall the diffent parts of a project that belong together. But thats just my way of working.